Aikido
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
Aikido is a martial art that was developed in Japan in the first part of the 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba.
Typicaly the movements are flowing, often circular and don't look very martial at all to the onlooker.
For the person experiencing the movements from the side of the attacker (note that aikido is a strictly defensive art, so the attacker is subjected to the aikido techniques, not executing them) it feels like this. I'll whack this guy good, there! … hey, where has he gone?.. hey, where has the ground gone?..THUMP… Ah there's that's where the ground had gone, Ouchh !
You can read all about aikido on these web-sites:
http://www.aikidofaq.com/
http://www.aikiweb.com/
An experienced aikidoka can avoid an attack just before it will reach him, thus leading the attacker into a void (the place where he was just a moment ago), causing the attacker to lose his balance and controll. He will then use this advantage to execute some technique, throwing the attacker, or locking his limbs (most often the arms). The locking tchniques allow the aikidoka to keep controll of his attacker, making sure he doesn't attack again. A well executed throw could also make sure that the attacker doesn't come back for seconds. Either because he can't get back up again (it is not easy to fall without getting hurt), or else because he is clever enough to realise that it is not a very good idea.
There is a strong spiritual side to aikido, it is not so important to learn the techniques, it is more important to become aware of yourself, and your surroundings. Learning aikido can help one to become more centered, more in controll of your life, and less of a victim of circumstances. Of course, the way to achieve that "enlightenment" is through let yourself get attacked, learn how to deal with it, throw the attacker. And after 4 times, you switch roles, and you have to attack him, getting thrown yourself. It is not clear if the "enlightenment" is achieved through the defending or the attacking part, or even a combination of both.
In short, it is impossible to explain aikido, it has to be experienced!
Just try it out if this has made you curious
Wonko
Typicaly the movements are flowing, often circular and don't look very martial at all to the onlooker.
For the person experiencing the movements from the side of the attacker (note that aikido is a strictly defensive art, so the attacker is subjected to the aikido techniques, not executing them) it feels like this. I'll whack this guy good, there! … hey, where has he gone?.. hey, where has the ground gone?..THUMP… Ah there's that's where the ground had gone, Ouchh !
You can read all about aikido on these web-sites:
http://www.aikidofaq.com/
http://www.aikiweb.com/
An experienced aikidoka can avoid an attack just before it will reach him, thus leading the attacker into a void (the place where he was just a moment ago), causing the attacker to lose his balance and controll. He will then use this advantage to execute some technique, throwing the attacker, or locking his limbs (most often the arms). The locking tchniques allow the aikidoka to keep controll of his attacker, making sure he doesn't attack again. A well executed throw could also make sure that the attacker doesn't come back for seconds. Either because he can't get back up again (it is not easy to fall without getting hurt), or else because he is clever enough to realise that it is not a very good idea.
There is a strong spiritual side to aikido, it is not so important to learn the techniques, it is more important to become aware of yourself, and your surroundings. Learning aikido can help one to become more centered, more in controll of your life, and less of a victim of circumstances. Of course, the way to achieve that "enlightenment" is through let yourself get attacked, learn how to deal with it, throw the attacker. And after 4 times, you switch roles, and you have to attack him, getting thrown yourself. It is not clear if the "enlightenment" is achieved through the defending or the attacking part, or even a combination of both.
In short, it is impossible to explain aikido, it has to be experienced!
Just try it out if this has made you curious
Wonko
